Luc’s a key for Milwaukee’s defense, but he brought little to the table late in this game. On the court with Dalembert, Dunleavy and the two guards, he wasn’t able to do much on the offensive glass and isn’t really a threat on offense. And Denver’s offense consisted of them busting out for fast breaks off turnovers.

Six shots. Not ideal. Sam Dalembert was kind of a game changer and sucked up many of the non-Monta and non-Brandon shots that were available, but wouldn’t it be something if there was a world in which those guys could give up even a few more shots to Ers. But as always, it’s on Ilyasova to be aggressive. Credit Ilyasova’s complete absence on the offensive glass to a strong Nuggets frontcourt.

Just please be okay. Sanders jumped to try and block a hard charging Kenneth Faried with the Bucks up 100-98 late in the fourth quarter. Farried had a full head of steam and met Sanders in the air. Sanders lost that meeting and his balance. He fell hard on his back without being able to brace himself. He said after the game that it was not a severe injury and that he’d be reevaluated today.

Oh Monta. The Bucks came out of a timeout late in the fourth quarter and the sideline announcer talked about how he had overheard Coach Jim Boylan emphasizing how much they need to move the ball and keep it moving to get a good shot. On the first possession out of the timeout, Jennings found Dunleavy who was forced out wider than usual on his curl. Dunleavy found Ellis, who got a screen from Dalembert and launched a challenged 19-footer over Kenneth Faried. That was a pretty good encapsulation of his night.

The 10 assist barrier is always a difficult one for Jennings to crack, so first instinct might be to applaud him for that effort. But you know what else is a tough barrier that he cracked this game? Five turnovers. He’s only had more than five turnovers eight times in his career. Tuesday night he handed out seven thanks to an aggressive Nuggets defense. He had two crucial turnovers in the final 1:30 along with some missed free throws and layups. Rough second half for Jennings overall.

Credit the Nuggets for keeping Dunleavy from getting the ball where he wanted to get it, but it seemed like the Bucks didn’t run as many pin-downs for him as they usually do. Especially late in the game.

Wow. I didn’t see his first half live, but when I looked at my phone after playing basketball, I saw he was blowing up. I assumed it was nothing but put-backs and tips, but when I watched later, I was blown away. Sam D. was tossing in short jumpers like he was playing against a chair or something. You could see how tired he was at the end of the game, but Milwaukee really let him down losing this one. He’s the first player to put up a 35/12 game in 27 minutes or less. Crazy.

Two Things We Saw

Ty Lawson, he’s fast. So fast. And so in control. In transition, he’s so tough to stop, because he’s strong enough to absorb some contact and finish and fast enough to get by practically everyone. And he’s so successful at getting defenses back on their heels. He was very good at hiding from Jennings when Milwaukee’s point guard went to double in the post too. Also: His crossover. Yuck. So nasty.

So this is kind of what the Bucks do. Sometimes they get up a whole bunch (up 17 at one point in this one) and then they struggle to make shots and lose the game. Other times, they get down 20 points and fight their way back into the game and win. Tough team to figure out. I suppose that’s what makes them pretty average. Don’t get too happy or too sad here. It just is what it is.

11 Comments

New to the site, but have to give you a big thumbs up… honest, insightful commentary…you’re beyond your years! As for last night vs. the Nugs, you’re right… this game was proof the Bucks are a very average team, and mentally, below average. It gets so old to watch the same general script play out every night, especially on the road, and especially when trying to protect a lead. Ball stops moving… forcing shots… settling for poor shots… Monta can’t hit the side of a barn in the 4th…. and Brandon gets careless at the worst possible time, and can’t hit free throws when they matter most. It’s as predictable as the sun rising and setting, and we’ve seen it over, and over and over this year. Everyone in Wisconsin knew that as soon as the Nuggets tied it up last night, the game was essentially over. There is no doubt this team has talent… but they lack the determination, mental toughness and leadership to put teams away early when they have the chance, and to close out close games. There have been at least 7 or 8 games that have gotten away this year. Close out just half of those, and we’re talking about a team that’s got a top 4 seed in the East.

“Sam D. was tossing in short jumpers like he was playing against a chair or something. . . . Milwaukee really let him down losing this one.”
Well put, Jeremy. I WAS watching the 1st half, whole game, and the loss pained me, not just bc it was the usual Bucks losing a big lead by suddenly playing terrible late in the game, but bc Dalembert had made me joyous and he & I deserved this to be an awesome win.

Is there anyone on the Bucks who can HANDLE THE BALL under pressure? I’m sick of watching Dunleavy struggle to inbound the ball and whine when someone (like Galinari) get physical with him. Neither Ellis nor Jennings make smart decisions with the ball against the clock.

Also, is it just me or do the Bucks not get to the line enough because they move so fast that the refs don’t catch the foul? It seemed like we breath on the Nuggets and they go to the line, Bucks get hacked and pushed but nothing happens. I don’t know the answer to this problem, I like the Bucks’ pace on offense.

Will someone with the means and ability please get the message to Monta? Surely someone on the coaching staff has told him that when you run out the quarter clock with the ball in your hands, you should start your move before 3 seconds left!! Please!! At least give your teammates an attempt for a putback!! Or the option to FIND THE OPEN MAN!!

So tired of watching him do this stupid ****! Can Drew Gooden at least knock some sense into him? Oh, wait…I forgot. Wolf?

hhaha funny observation. I also noticed how he waits until the last available second to try to put up a contested prayer whenever the clock is winding down on a quarter. Absolutely not intention to work with the other players on the floor to get the best possible shot. I dont care how talented this guy is he needs to go.

The game was typical of the bucks especially Ellis and Jennings.
Ellis always looks to shoot; Jennings overdribles the bowl, and losses it. Dunleavy is at is best especially with Beno, when both move without the ball, set screens then screen out- a concept that Jennings and Ellis don’t seem to undrstand- especially Ellis- he likes to stand around the perimeter and force a shot, it was a good trade for the warriors, not the bucks and not at the salary Ellis is being paid.
Dunleavy got elbowed in the jaw, and then came back as he always doeson defense when the guards make terrible decisions on the offensive side,
and took another pretty good hit- a courageous act. The one bad play at the corner was spacing- three guys too close together, The bucks need to share and move the without the ball the entire game- if Ellis and Jennings can’t do that they should be yanked, as Scott Skiles in the first chicago came. THIS IS A GAME THE BUCKS SHOULD HAVE WON

Ellis or Jennings should be yanked. They may get hot every once in a while but the way they play the game for the most part is unacceptable. The rest of the team isn’t as bad as people like to think, and Jennings and Ellis aren’t as good as they’re given credit for.